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Sunday, June 11, 2017

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part x156, It’s Finished, Short Form, Similar Works

11 June 2017, Writing Ideas
- New Novel, part x156, It’s Finished, Short Form, Similar Works

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher
has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy. I'll keep you
informed. More information can be found at www.ancientlight.com. Check out my novels--I think you'll really enjoy
them.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.
This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in
installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in
addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel
was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and
tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this
blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example
of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll
keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my
writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production
schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I
employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.

2. Entertain your readers.

3. Ground your readers in the
writing.

4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

4a. Show what can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted on the stage
of the novel.

5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

These are the steps I use to write a
novel including the five discrete parts of a novel:

The most important scene in any
novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising
action. I started writing my 28th novel, working title Red Sonja.I finished my 29th novel, working
title School.I’ll be providing information on the
marketing materials and editing.

How to begin a novel.Number one thought, we need an entertaining
idea.I usually encapsulate such an idea
with a theme statement.Since I’m
writing a new novel, we need a new theme statement.Here is an initial cut.

For novel 28:Red Sonja, a Soviet spy, infiltrates the
X-plane programs at Edwards AFB as a test pilot’s administrative clerk, learns
about freedom, and is redeemed.

For novel 29:Sorcha, the abandoned child of an Unseelie
and a human, secretly attends Wycombe Abbey girls’ school where she meets the
problem child Deirdre and is redeemed.

First, you write and write and write
until you are competent and someone finally accepts one of your novels for
publication.

Second, you keep writing.

Third, you market.

Fourth, you keep writing with the
hope your marketing and your writing will finally come to fruition.

Fifth, you market.

Here is a list of the primary
information I develop for a completed novel.I’ll put some explanation beside the sections.As we discuss them, I’ll fill them out for my
newest novel.

When two
problem girls, both with supernatural abilities, come together at Wycombe Abbey
boarding school, the sparks are about to fly.

Magic,
the fae, British Intelligence, and learning mix with friendship, fighting, and
unexpected revelations at a girl’s elegant boarding school in Deirdre:
Enchantment and the School.

2.One
sentence about successful works similar to yours.

Deirdre: Enchantment and the
School is a novel about
supernatural girls attending a boarding school—it compares with some modern
novels in a similar setting, but the concept is wholly unique.

Most works are comparable in some
way to other novels.For example, Harry
Potty is similar to a host of magical based novels for kids.The Sparkly Vampires isn’t that unique at
all.There’s bunches of vampire stuff
especially in this class of writing.Most works compare to something, but then others are very unique.For example, the Hungry Games are pretty much
alone.Somebody might have written
novels like it since it was published, but it’s pretty much in a class by
itself.The Abhorsen novels by Garth
Brooks are pretty unique.Jack Vance is
a very unique writer.On the other hand,
many novelists provide new ideas, but to old or set concepts--your standard
mysteries, crime novels, spy novels, historical novels, and all.

Some of my novels have been comparable
with older novels.For example, Centurion can be compared with Ben Hur or The Robe.My Aegypt novel can be compared with The Jewel of Seven Stars.Most novels have some antecedents, and there
is nothing wrong with that.Most
publishers want to know what to compare your novel with.They aren’t checking for fan fiction, but
they are checking to see if you have something their market can support.

On the other hand, sometimes authors
stumble into ideas that are like nothing in the past.These are unique novels that have no
comparable novel in print.I have to say
that as I’ve written more and more, my ideas become more and more unique.If you know of a novel similar to Deirdre, I’d love to know about it.I’d like to read it.I’m sure there are many novels about girls in
boarding schools (actually, there are fewer than you might imagine).I’m sure there are some novels about
supernatural people, just none about girls with supernatural abilities in a
regular boarding school.I mean you have
Harry.There is some supernatural action
in the boarding school, but that’s a little different than a girl banished to a
boarding school and another hiding in a boarding school.

Part of this uniqueness comes from
the situations in the world I already set up in the modern world I write about.My characters are somewhat unique and the
plots are definitely unique.In any
case, don’t shy from either side.You
really do want your novels to be comparable to something.On the other hand, if they aren’t just say
you think that is so.If you find another
similar work in the future, then you have a new comparison.

3.No
more than 2 sentences about yourself. (use 3rd person)

L. D. Alford
is a novelist whose writing uniquely explores the connections between present
events and history—he combines them with threads of reality that bring the past
alive.

Dr. Alford
is a scientist and widely traveled author who combines intimate scientific and
cultural knowledge into fiction worlds that breathe reality.

4.No
more than 2 sentences that include “other,” i.e. any reasons, relationships, or
other factors that might make your work more attractive.

Sorcha: Enchantment and the
Curse continues the supernatural themes introduced in L.D. Alford’s Enchantment and Ancient Light novels.It is
a standalone novel.

Sorcha: Enchantment and the Curse is
exciting fiction from the celebrated author of Essie: Enchantment and the Aor Si, Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer,Valeska: Enchantment and the Vampire, Khione: Enchantment and the Fox,
Dana-ana: Enchantment of the Maiden,
Hestia: Enchantment of the Hearth, Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon, Antebellum,
Centurion, Aegypt, The End of Honor, The Fox’s Honor, A Season of Honor, Sister of Light, and Sister of Darkness.

I left in the information for Sorcha: Enchantment and the Curse.I’ll write and put in the information for School over the next few weeks.

About Me

L. D. Alford is a novelist whose writing explores with originality those cultures and societies we think we already know. His writing distinctively develops the connections between present events and history—he combines them with threads of reality that bring the past alive. L. D. Alford is familiar with technology and cultures—he is widely traveled and earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University, a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Dayton, and is a graduate of Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and the USAF Test Pilot School. L. D. Alford is an author who combines intimate scientific and cultural knowledge into fiction worlds that breathe reality. He is the author of three historical fiction novels: Centurion, Aegypt, and The Second Mission, and three science fiction novels: The End of Honor, The Fox’s Honor, and A Season of Honor.